HomeMy WebLinkAbout830786.tiff RESOLUTION
RE: ACCEPTANCE OF REPORT FROM LIBRARY BLUE RIBBON COMMITTEE
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners of Weld County,
Colorado, pursuant to Colorado statute and the Weld County Home
Rule Charter, is vested with the authority of administering the
affairs of Weld County, Colorado, and
WHEREAS, the Library Blue Ribbon Committee has submitted
a report to the Board of County Commissioners, and
WHEREAS, the report consists of the opinion of panel members
not supporting the merger of library services and the opinion of
panel members supporting said merger, and
WHEREAS, the majority of the panel members were supportive of
the merger of library services, and
WHEREAS, the reasons for the opposition to, and the support
of, said merger are as listed on the report, a copy of which is
attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference, and
WHEREAS, the Board deems it advisable to accept said report.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County Com-
missioners of Weld County, Colorado that the report from the
Library Blue Ribbon Committee be, and hereby is, accepted.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the Board that letters be sent to
each of the Committee members expressing the Board' s appreciation.
The above and foregoing Resolution was, on motion duly made
and seconded, adopted by the following vote on the 28th day of
February, A.D. , 1983 .
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
ATTEST: i s�tia " WELD COUNTY, COLORADO
Weld County Clerk an der EXCUSED
a rk to the B rd Chuck Carlson. Chairman
By: 4d T .27ez
eputy County erk J T. Martin Pro-Tem
A VED AS TO FORM:
Gene R. Brantner
C
/�act
EXCUSED
664 County Attorney Norman Car so
J cq ine f nson
^�'� DAY FILE: March 2 , 1983
1.. ��. 4. ,,`..' `_� 8J07o6
mEmoRAnDum
WIC P Board of County Commissioners February 17, 1983
To Date
COLORADO From Don Wardentiv�
Library Blue Ribbon Committee
Subject:
On February 17, 1983, at 8:30 a.m. , Commissioners Martin, Brantner and
Ai. Carlson, attended a joint meeting with the Greeley City Council and Library
Blue Ribbon Committee. At the meeting, the Blue Ribbon Committee presented to
both the Board and the City Council their minority and majority reports on
their recommendations concerning the consolidation of library services. The
recommendations are attached for the Board's information.
After discussion of the proposals, the City Council took the following action:
1. Accepted the report;
2. Directed that letters of appreciation be sent to all committee
members, and
3. Directed the City of Greeley staff to implement as many areas of
consolidation or joint efforts as feasible with the Weld County
Library staff and to report back to the Council with all feasible
alternatives concerning joint or consolidated efforts with the two
library systems.
The Board of County Commissioners need to take action on the report which, at
a minimum, should be receipt of the report and letters of appreciation. The
approach that the City of Greeley is taking as far as studying and attempting
to implement as many areas of consolidation and joint efforts as possible
seems to be the only practical alternative for the Board to direct staff to
do.
OPINION OF PANEL MEM1JERS NOT SUPPORTING THE MERGER OF LIBRARY SERVICES
The undersigned , a part of the Panel appointed , desire to express
their views in the case .
To recommend a combination of the libraries is not only premature,
but also not in the best interests of the citizens of Greeley or total
library service . The advantages of a combination of the libraries are
based on conjecture that demands further investigation before any mer-
ger be considered.
The funding of a single library system remains a complete mystery.
Although both the City and County would like to lessen their library
budgets and/or use their tax dollars efficiently , responsibility for
funding the library adequately must he determined in advance . Obviously ,
many Weld County communities would benefit from increased library service.
However , this burden should not be borne by the Greeley taxpayer. A
library district has been discussed. Mr . DiFalco (City Attorney ) indicated
it would consist of the City of Greeley and unincorporated land in Weld
County . Incorporated communities may petition to belong to the district .
But in 1981, the feasibility of a County-wide district was investigated
and there was no support for such a County-wide special district . There-
fore, such a library district tax base would generate less funds than
presently available. How a library district would affect the taxes of
the citizens of Greeley should be determined prior to any merger plans .
A larger system is not necessarily synonymous with cost-effectiveness .
The projected head librarian and full-time catalogue-person might well
increase salary costs without increasing efficiency .
Any economies in joint purchasing have been denied by both li-
brarians since they both get the maximum book discounts available .
The governing authority is a major point of concern and should be
thoroughly investigated. Since the one library system would be funded
and controlled by two separate political bodies that may not concur in
the future, Greeley taxpayers rnight regret relinquishing control of
their own library. They might find it more advantageous to determine
their own library needs now and in the future as Greeley ' s population
expands.
However, closer cooperation , as indicated in the 1979 Study On
Feasibility of Cooperation Between Greeley Public Library and Weld
County Library, could be improved and achieved without a merger. Struc-
tured communication should be required. Also , cost effectiveness of
combining both libraries on one computer should be investigated . Weld
County is on the IBM system with the County , while the Greeley Public
is in the process of going on the Univac system with the City. The
Univac system is the system used by a majority of libraries in High
Plains. Since the people of the County and City use both libraries , it
might be an advantage to have both libraries on the same system.
With closer cooperation , the present two systems seem most effective.
It is our position that because of these concerns , we cannot recommend
a combination or merger of the libraries.
rte,
OPINION OF PANEL MEMBERS SUPPORTING THE MERGER OF LIBRARY SERVICES
The undersigned Panel members make the following recommendations :
I . That the two separate library facilities be maintained as
they are with a single board having operational authority
and responsibility within the terms of the contract .
II . That there be consolidation in the following areas :
A. A single administration .
B. Centralized purchasing and processing of materials.
C. One data base.
D. An expected increase in holdings and resources in
both libraries due to savings realized in A , B, and C.
The justification for the above recommendations have been based on :
A. Recommendations in the 1979 Study On Feasibility of Cooperation
Between Greeley Public Library and Weld County Library.
B. The research and updating by the Blue Ribbon Panel which
indicates that statistics in this study are still relatively
valid.
C. Interviews with directors of the Greeley Public and Weld
County Libraries, legal counsel and personnel of the Colorado
State Library .
D. Reliance on the management and library experience of the
Blue Ribbon Panel members.
The undersigned Panel members also make the following recommendations
in regards to implementation of the merger :
A. That a contract be negotiated by representatives of the two
library boards , the two library directors , legal counsel and
any other advisors , who will submit the contract to the Greeley
City Council and Weld County Commissioners for ratification .
B. That said contract shall include, but not be limited to the
following provisions:
1. Designate an administrative pattern and outline the
process for selecting the chief administrator .
2 . Define budgetary responsibilities of each library for
contracted services.
3. Provide for joint planning for responsible growth in
resources , services and personnel within budgetary
confines , without reducing current resources and ser-
vices in either library.
!` 4 . Specify len h of original contract to allow sufficient
time for a successful effort . (No less than 3 years. )
5. Provide for orderly amendment of contract to meet
changing needs during the contract period or for
termination.
6 . Select one data base.
7. Establish a centralized purchasing and processing
facility.
C. That a tentative time schedule be set up as follows :
1 . January 1983 : Organize committee to write a contract ,
select data base and establish purchsing and processing
center.
2 . Rely on attrition to determine personnel changes.
The following are additional recommendations , for future consideration ,
for the library board based on the 1979 Feasibility Study :
A. Implement a County-wide analysis of library services.
B. Establish coordinated in-house procedures for all public
libraries in County.
C . Establish liaison with all Weld County School Districts
for the purpose of planning and improving library service
and for ultimate linkage with the State-wide library network .
D. Explore alternative funding for libraries in the County
and identify areas in which money can be used more effective-
ly to provide better access for County residents.
[ 2/ _ /v
4 Ng OFFICE OF BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
4� _
� PHONE(303)356-x000 EXT.200
P.O.BOX 758
nhiGREELEY,COLORADO 80632
[Imes
COLORADO
February 28, 1983
Mr. Frank Yoder 1c J
1011 48th Avenue �7 /2Zl��
Greeley, Colorado 80634
Dear Mr. Yoder:
The Board of Weld County Commissioners would like to take this opportunity to
extend a sincere thank you for your participation on the Library Blue Ribbon
Committee.
Your contribution of personal time and open—minded approach in addressing the
merger issue are to be commended; this Board greatly appreciates your efforts.
Again, our thanks for your devotion to Weld County and its citizens.
Sincerely,
WELLDC0UNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Oita-
Chuck Carlson
Chairman
Gene Brantner ackie nson
Commissioner Commissioner
672 — ->? 7v%. ,, ��C�� u.
Norman Carlson !John Martin
Commissioner Commissioner
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